In her fourth year on Ashleen Bracey’s staff, Caprice Smith returns as an assistant coach for the 2025-26 season.
With the help of Smith, UIC earned the program's second consecutive postseason tournament berth and first trip to the WNIT since 2007. It also marked the second consecutive winning season for the Flames, something the program has not done in a decade (2013-14 and 2014-15 seasons).
Smith played a role in the Flames 19-win season in 2022-23. The team tied for the second-most wins in school history, earning just its third postseason bid.
Smith spent two seasons at DePaul, where she was the video coordinator for head coach Doug Bruno's staff. The Blue Demons made postseason play in both of Smith's seasons in Lincoln Park, including an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament this spring.
Bracey's relationship with Smith dates back to high school when Smith's Trinity High School team knocked out Bracey and Oak Park River Forest High School in the postseason tournament. The duo would square off again in college with Smith and DePaul taking down Bracey's Illinois State team.
Before returning to DePaul, where she starred as a player from 2004 to 2008, Smith spent 11 years as an assistant coach at the legendary Montini High School program under Jason Nichols, one of the nation's most accomplished coaches. Montini captured four state championships in nine appearances to the state finals during her tenure. Smith was also a valued teacher and counselor at Montini while coordinating the team's video and social media.
Smith spent her offseasons coaching on the local and national travel team circuits while also serving as a member of Coach Bruno's girls basketball camp staff.
The Blue Demons went to four NCAA tournament during Smith's career, including the team's first Sweet 16 appearance in 2005-06, in addition to being an All-BIG EAST honoree in 2007. Smith scored 1,199 points in her career and led the team in rebounding and blocked shots as a junior. She was a member of the Conference USA Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll in 2004-05 and a three-time BIG EAST All-Academic Team member.
Smith graduated from DePaul in 2008 with a bachelor's degree in communications, concentrating in TV, radio and film.
